There is only so much time in a day. From experience if you like to piece quilts, it is hard to find time to do both.

I had those same fears, then I brought mine home last week - I love it, Love It, LOVE IT!!!

there's a HandiQuilter dealer in Mtn. Home. Would that be too far to go for you? When I found my gently used HQ at a dealer in Jonesboro....told my hubby about it...and he knew how much I wanted one. He told me, "at our age, if you want to do something, you need to go for it." I'm so glad I did. You definitely need a good support system for the things you'll run into...this board is a source of wonderful help, etc. Join a yahoo group for the brand fo your machine, etc. I only do quilts for myself, as I can't stand for hours at a time to do quilts for other. But, that's just wht I wanted it for.....me. Good lucki!!

I have a Pfaff grand quilter and frame, I'm sorry I ever got it. You need to practice a lot to get good at it and I'm
always pressed for time. Trying to talk my husband into doing the quilting when he retires. (LOL)

Peg

I love my 15 inch baily, hope to upgrade soon. would never do quilting without it.

I bought mine in January knowing I would just love it, but I don't and now I wish I had not spent the money on it. I enjoy the cutting and piecing of the tops but am not enjoying the quilting. Once I get the quilt put on the frame, then do some quilting, then have to roll the quilt up some more before I can quilt some more, I just don't enjoy it. It takes A LOT of practice and I do mean A LOT of practice to do pretty work on a quilt. Just something to think about. In fact, I am seriously thinking about selling mine.

Windsong

You are absolutely going to love it!!! I only had the small try out at the show when we bought our Avante and it was enough for me to know I wanted this! Now I would pen all my time playing on her! Enjoy!

I just got a 13" bailey and I love it. Mr. Bailey is wonderful if you have any problems. Anyway enjoy it'

If you love to make quilts AND complete them, then you'll love it! If you are buying a LA because you passionately love to quilt, then it is not a mistake. I bought my longarm on a whim 8 yrs ago, and have not regretted a single minute! Don't know the Nolte, but the Gammill is a wonderful machine. Enjoy! If God has given you a passion and a talent - use it!

Just put some socks on those cold feet and move on. You will love it.

I used to live near Fayetteville. The Babylock dealer there is great and a lot of help. Very willing to answer all questions and let you try them out.

Hi, I think some thing that you should consider is the amount of room you need to set this up. You won't be satisfied unless its large enough to at least do queen size quilts, so you need at least a 14' wide room to set it up in. There is a learning curve to this and I think you should at least find a shop where you can go in and do a quilt with instructions before you undertake this yourself. I did 3 quilts at a quilt shop before I purchased mine and I still had problems. I still only do pantographs.
Don't mean to be a downer about this, of course it's exciting to think about and easy to get caught up in the dream of having one when your at a quilt show, just wanted to mention things you need to be aware of. good luck, whatever you decide to do. Sandy

Good luck with this hard decision. Just don't buy a Ken Quilt. I did a couple years ago and it has never worked right and the company was no support whatsoever.

You are going to become Adicted to your longarm. Be sure you have your local Carryout on speeddial!!!! You will really injoy it. I just purchased my New Nolting,Pro in December. And I love it. A Hint, when it is your time to purchase, Go purchase at a Quilt Show. You will get specials that you won't get if you just go and purchase from a dealer. So, If you have desided on the Machine brand, Go to their website and find where they will be at their next quilt Show. Even if you have to drive-a-ways, it will pay off in the end. Put on those muslin samples, and practice, practice, practice. and have FUN, FUN, Fun!!!

I have had an Innova for about 2 years and love it. I live in S.E. Kansas and you would be welcome to come and
play with it on some weekend. I was able to use a LA at
my LQS before purchasing mine, just to be sure I would like
doing it. And hers does not work near as nice as the one
I purchased, surprised that I really love the quilting as
much trouble as she has with hers!
Connie
Innova 26"

I did the same thing. I got a 1/2 size Gracie quilt frame on sale at a LQS and then I bought the Viking Mega Quilter (at a different LQS). The store told me they'd show me how to set up and use the frame but when I went there all she did was talk about it for a few minutes then suggested abook. This was after I had already got the frame home and I'm the type of person who is a visual learner so even though I can learn from a good book I feel more comfortable when being shown how to do it. This started a year ago. I am now making a jacket and the material has to be quilted so I'm cross hatching it because other that stich in the ditch and knotting them I don't know how to quilt and I wasn't trying anything on the expensive material. There are a few machine classes around here all on Sunday's which I work. After my jacket I've decided that this weekend I'm starting with the frame and machine; wish me luck

I'd be on the phone to somebody. I'd suggest you call the person you got it from for the owners manual. There should ahve been one.

Thanks for the offer. I'm kinda tied here at home. Hopefully I can find some kind soul close by that will let me take one for a test drive.

I have the mega quilter and I bought the small Gracie frame from a LQS. They were supposed to give me the manual then couldn't find it. I went online and found a video for setting it up and then I called the company. I told them what happened and they asked where I bought it and before the week was up the LQS had sent me the manual. These stores are reps for the machines they sell and are supposed to represent them accurately so if you have to call viking or gracie; do it.

Don't be nervous I think we all feel a little nervous starting on something new but once you get going think of how much money you can save doing your own and maybe turn it into a little business at some time. Good Luck. Sue

Hi
just thought of something, on another board that I joined, one women reached out in NY to get help with her Bailey longarm
and a women from CT went to her house to help her out - only about 1 hr drive for her - try reaching out to see if anyone on the this board lives close to you. I live in NJ and there is no one close to me. Good Luck!

hey, don't look at me---i'm back east!
anyway, it's a DONE DEAL, right?
you WILL love it, & consider how lucky are you, right?

this is a good idea but so far I haven't seen anyone on here from where I live. We had a LQS buy and set up a large quilting frame w/longarm and said they had someone learning so that they could teach classes on it; that was a year ago and I asked recently and they said they don't have any classes and then I noticed the setup being for sale. I don't know but maybe who ever was learning quit or something.